Child sleeping apparatus with folding frame

ABSTRACT

A bassinet for infants and children includes a child receiving receptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle. A lock is selectively operable for locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed. The collapsible frame assembly comprising a first collapsible frame portion collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa, the collapsible frame assembly further comprising a second collapsible frame portion collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa. The first and second collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to one another for movement between the frame assembly&#39;s extended configuration and its collapsed configuration, with each collapsible frame portion including a pair of generally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/762,039 filed Feb. 7, 2013, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of sleepingapparatus for children and infants, and more particularly to bassinets,inclined sleeping apparatuses, and the like.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, the present invention provides a bassinet orsimilar sleeping apparatus for infants and children including a childreceiving receptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to andsupporting the child receiving receptacle. The collapsible frameassembly includes a first collapsible frame portion collapsible betweenan extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa.The collapsible frame assembly further includes a second collapsibleframe portion collapsible between an extended configuration and acollapsed configuration and vice-versa. The first and second collapsibleframe portions are pivotally coupled to one another for pivotalcollapsing movement between the collapsible frame assembly's extendedconfiguration and its collapsed configuration. Preferably, eachcollapsible frame portion includes a pair of generally U-shaped framemembers pivotally connected to one another. Preferably, at least onelock is provided and is operable for locking the collapsible frameassembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same toallow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.

Preferably, the first and second collapsible frame portions eachcomprise A-frames pivotally coupled to one another and one of theA-frames is oriented with its open end facing up and the other A-frameis oriented with its open end facing down. Preferably, each of thecollapsible frame portions comprises a pair of A-frames on opposite endsof the bassinet.

Preferably the lock includes a hand-operated control for locking andunlocking the lock, including a hand-operated knob for unlocking thelock.

Defined another way, the invention comprises a bassinet or similarsleeping apparatus for infants and children including a child receivingreceptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supportingthe child receiving receptacle. The collapsible frame assembly includesfirst and second collapsible frame portions each being collapsiblebetween an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration andvice-versa. The first and second collapsible frame portions arepivotally coupled to one another for pivotal collapsing movement betweenthe collapsible frame assembly's extended configuration and itscollapsed configuration. A lock is operable for locking the collapsibleframe assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the sameto allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.

In yet another example, the invention provides a bassinet or similarapparatus for infants and children and having a child receivingreceptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supportingthe child receiving receptacle. The collapsible frame assembly includesfirst and second collapsible frame portions collapsible between anextended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa,with each collapsible frame portion including a pair of generallyU-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another. Preferably,each collapsible frame portion forms a folding wishbone frame structureat opposite ends of the bassinet. Preferably, at each of the bassinet'sends, one of the folding wishbones is oriented with an open end facingup and the other folding wishbone is oriented with an open end facingdown. Optionally, a lock is operable for locking the collapsible frameassembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same toallow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention willbe understood with reference to the drawing figures and detaileddescription herein, and will be realized by means of the variouselements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following brief description of the drawings anddetailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of theinvention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention, shown in an extended configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 1, shown in afolded or collapsed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to a second exampleembodiment of the present invention, shown in an extended configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 3, shown in afolded or collapsed configuration.

FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the bassinet of FIG. 3, shownin a folded or collapsed configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to a third exampleembodiment of the present invention, shown in an extended configuration.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of another example bassinet, shown inan extended configuration.

FIG. 7A is a detailed, perspective view of a portion of the bassinet ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a schematic right side elevation view of an exemplary bassinetframe according to the invention, showing both extended and collapsedconfigurations.

FIG. 9 is a detailed, perspective view of a portion of the bassinetframe of FIG. 8, shown in a locked configuration.

FIG. 10 is a detailed, perspective view of a portion of the bassinetframe of FIG. 8, shown in an unlocked configuration, ready for the frameto be collapsed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure.It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to thespecific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/orshown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patentsand other publications identified in this specification are incorporatedby reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bassinet 100, according to an example embodiment ofthe present invention. The bassinet 100 generally comprises acollapsible frame 102 configured to rest on a support surface (not shownin the drawings) and an infant receiving receptacle 103 coupled to theframe 102 and adapted for receiving an infant. The bassinet 100 isconvertible between an erect or extended configuration, as shown in FIG.1, and a collapsed or compact/folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second example embodiment of a bassinet 200,according to the present invention. The bassinet 200 includes acollapsible frame 202 configured to rest on a support surface and aninfant receiving receptacle 203 coupled to the frame 202 and adapted forreceiving an infant. The frame 202 is further configured to rock on thesupport surface in a front-to-back rocking motion. The illustratedbassinet 200 is operable to be manually rocked by a caregiver. Invarious other embodiments, the bassinet 200 optionally can be driven byother means, such as for example by an electric motor.

As shown, the frame 202 includes first and second generally U-shapedframe portions 210, 220. The frame portions 210, 220 include upright legmembers, such as 211, 221, 223, configured to support the bassinet 200on a support surface. The leg members, such as 211, 221, 223, arespanned by base portions 212, 222 configured to rest on the supportsurface. The base portions 212, 222 are curved such that the bassinet200 can rock front-to-back on the support surface. Other embodiments ofthe bassinet 200 may be configured to rock side-to-side or in multipledirections, or may not be configured to rock at all. The U-shaped frameportions bear wheels at one end of the bassinet and fixed resilient feetat the other end. For example, see wheel 225 and feet 226, 216. As willbe seen more clearly in connection with subsequent figures, thegenerally U-shaped frame portions 210, 220 are pivotally mounted to oneanother for movement between an extended configuration shown in FIG. 3and a folded or compact (collapsed) configuration shown in FIG. 4. Thus,the generally U-shaped frame portions 210, 220 form collapsible A-framesor wishbone-like frames at each end of the frame assembly 210.

The infant receiving receptacle 203 preferably comprises a reclined seatportion and opposing side walls configured to retain an infant withinthe infant receiving receptacle 203. The infant receiving receptacle 203can be a fabric sling, a hard shell seat, or other construction, asdesired. Preferably, the side walls are at least partially formed from abreathable material, such as a mesh. The infant receiving receptacle 203is supported by an upper frame 250 which is pivotally mounted the lowerframe (in particular to the generally U-shaped frame members 210, 220).The upper frame 250 somewhat mirrors the lower frame in that the upperframe 250 also has generally U-shaped frame members, such as U-shapedframe member 260. The upper frame 250 also defines A-frames at each endof the bassinet, with the upper frame's A-frames oriented with the openends facing up (the lower frame's A-frames have their open ends pointingdown).

As best seen in FIG. 8, the overall frame assembly 290 includes thelower frame 202 and the upper frame 250. As seen in this figure, thelower frame 202 is in the form of a collapsible A-frame with its openend pointing down. Conversely, the upper frame 250 is in the form of acollapsible A-frame with its open end pointing up. These two A-framesare pivotally mounted to each other at pivot points 261, 262. Each ofthese upper and lower A-frames is collapsible from an extendedconfiguration (shown in solid line in this figure) to a collapsedconfiguration (shown in dashed lines in this figure). For example, lowerframe 202 can be collapsed from the extended configuration to thecollapsed configuration. To facilitate this, the arms 211, 221 of thelower frame 202 are pivotally coupled to one another at a pivot coupling230, having sockets 231, 232 for receiving the upper ends of the legs221, 211 therein. Likewise, the arms 256, 257 of the upper frame 250 arepivotally coupled to one another at a pivot coupling 280, having sockets281, 282 for receiving the upper ends of the legs 256, 257 therein.While one pair of upper and lower A-frames is shown, the reader willappreciate that there is another set of these at the opposite end of thebassinet. The double wishbone or double A-frame arrangement is welldepicted in FIG. 6 as well.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pivot couplings 230, 280 are eachmade up of inboard and outboard portions, 283, 284 and 233, 234,respectively. These inboard and outboard portions of the pivot couplingsare pivotally mounted to one another to provide the pivotal connectionbetween the arms 211, 221 and arms 256, 257. Note that the sockets 231and 281 are on the inboard portions, while sockets 232, 282 are on theoutboard portions.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the foldable frame assembly can beseen to include a lock 290 operable for locking the collapsible frameassembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same toallow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed. Preferably, thelock 290 includes a hand-operated control for unlocking the lock in theform of a hand-operated knob 291(in the preferred embodiment, the lockautomatically locks when the frame is fully extended). FIG. 9 depictsthe lock knob 291 in its locked configuration for securing the frame inplace, while FIG. 10 shows the lock knob 291 rotated to its unlockedorientation for releasing the frame to allow the frame to be collapsed.

Preferably, the bassinet 200 is also convertible between an erectorientation, as shown in FIG. 3, and a collapsed orientation, as shownin FIG. 5. To convert the bassinet 200 from the erect orientation to thecollapsed orientation, the arm members 256, 257 are pivoted towards eachother, causing the leg members 211, 221 to simultaneously pivot towardseach other.

Certain example embodiments of the bassinet may also include wheels orrollers (or other conventional means for sliding/rolling across thesupport surface), as shown in various figures herein. The wheels allowthe bassinet to be transported easily from room to room, withoutdisturbing an infant positioned therein. The depicted embodimentsinclude a wheel at the rear of each base portion, but other embodimentsmay include fewer or more wheels (or other means for sliding/rolling)positioned anywhere on base portions. The bassinet can also include ahandle 213 which a caregiver may grasp as they push or pull the bassinet200 to various locations. The handle 213 is preferably positioned at thefront of the infant receiving receptacle 203, such that the front iselevated above the support surface when a caregiver grasps and lifts thehandle 213. Thus, the weight of the bassinet 200 is transferred to thewheels 225 at the rear of the base portions.

FIGS. 7 and 7A illustrate an exemplary infant bassinet 700 that includesan optional pocket 714 configured to hold various items, such as,example, a bottle, pacifier, or most preferably, a vibration unit 715.The pocket 714 is preferably positioned on the infant receivingreceptacle 703 or one of the arm members, such that the vibratory motionof the vibration unit 715 is transferred to the infant receivingreceptacle 703. Other example embodiments may include a pocketpositioned at an alternative location on the bassinet 700 and/or mayinclude additional pockets. Optionally, the bassinet 700 can include aharness 720 or similar means for restraining an infant positioned withinthe infant receiving receptacle.

Thus, as shown in various ones of the figures, the present inventionincludes a bassinet for infants and children. See for example bassinet100, 200, etc. Such a bassinet includes a child receiving receptacle,such as receptacle 103, 203, etc. The bassinet includes a collapsibleframe assembly attached to and supporting the child receivingreceptacle, such as frame assembly 102, 202, etc. The collapsible frameassembly has first and second collapsible frame portions collapsiblebetween an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration andvice-versa. See, for example frame portions 210, 220. The first andsecond collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to one anotherfor pivotal collapsing movement between the collapsible frame assembly'sextended configuration and its collapsed configuration, with eachcollapsible frame portion including a pair of generally U-shaped framemembers pivotally connected to one another. In this regard, thegenerally U-shaped frame members form A-frames at each end of thebassinet, with one A-frame at each end pointing down and one A-frame ateach end pointing up. Thus, at each end of the bassinet, there is a pairof A-frames pivotally connected to one another, with one oriented up andone oriented down. These A-frames can also be described as foldablewishbone-like frames.

Advantageously, preferably there is provided at least one lock operablefor locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configurationand for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to becollapsed. Preferably, the lock includes a hand-operated control forunlocking the lock in the form of a hand-operated knob.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A sleeping apparatus for infants and children comprising: a childreceiving receptacle; a collapsible frame assembly attached to andsupporting the child receiving receptacle, the collapsible frameassembly comprising a first frame portion movable between an extendedconfiguration and a collapsed configuration, the collapsible frameassembly further comprising a second frame portion movable between anextended configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein the firstand second collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to oneanother with each collapsible frame portion including a pair ofgenerally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another; andat least one lock for locking the collapsible frame assembly in itsextended configuration and for selectively unlocking the same to allowthe collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.
 2. A bassinet forinfants and children as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and secondcollapsible frame portions each comprise A-frames pivotally coupled toone another.
 3. A bassinet for infants and children as claimed in claim2 wherein one of the A-frames is oriented with its open end facing upand the other A-frame is oriented with its open end facing down.
 4. Abassinet for infants and children as claimed in claim 2 wherein each ofthe collapsible frame portions comprises a pair of A-frames on oppositeends of the bassinet.
 5. A bassinet for infants and children as claimedin claim 4 wherein each of the collapsible frame portions includes alower lateral portion extending between the pair of A-frames at oppositeends of the bassinet.
 6. A bassinet for infants and children as claimedin claim 1 wherein the lock includes a hand-operated control for lockingand unlocking the lock.
 7. A bassinet for infants and children asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the lock includes a hand-operated knob forlocking and unlocking the lock.
 8. A bassinet for infants and childrencomprising: a child receiving receptacle; a collapsible frame assemblyattached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle, thecollapsible frame assembly comprising a first frame portion movablebetween an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, thecollapsible frame assembly further comprising a second frame portionmovable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration,wherein the first and second collapsible frame portions are pivotallycoupled to one another; and at least one lock for locking thecollapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and forselectively unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assemblyto be collapsed.
 9. A bassinet for infants and children as claimed inclaim 8 wherein the first and second collapsible frame portions eachcomprise A-frames pivotally coupled to one another.
 10. A bassinet forinfants and children as claimed in claim 9 wherein one of the A-framesis oriented with its open end facing up and the other A-frame isoriented with its open end facing down.
 11. A bassinet for infants andchildren as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of the collapsible frameportions comprises a pair of A-frames on opposite ends of the bassinet.12. A bassinet for infants and children as claimed in claim 11 whereineach of the first collapsible frame portions includes a lower lateralportion extending between the pair of A-frames at opposite ends of thebassinet.
 13. A bassinet for infants and children as claimed in claim 8wherein the lock includes a hand-operated control for locking andunlocking the lock.
 14. A bassinet for infants and children as claimedin claim 8 wherein the lock includes a hand-operated knob for lockingand unlocking the lock.
 15. A bassinet for infants and childrencomprising: a child receiving receptacle; a collapsible frame assemblyattached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle, thecollapsible frame assembly comprising a first frame portion movablebetween an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, thecollapsible frame assembly further comprising a second frame portionmovable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration,wherein the first and second frame portions are pivotally coupled to oneanother, with each collapsible frame portion including a pair ofgenerally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another,with each collapsible frame portion comprising a folding wishbone framestructure at opposite ends of the bassinet; and at least one lock forlocking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration andfor selectively unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frameassembly to be collapsed.
 16. A bassinet for infants and children asclaimed in claim 15 at each of the bassinet one of the folding wishbonesis oriented with an open end facing up and the folding wishbone isoriented with an open end facing down.
 17. A bassinet for infants andchildren as claimed in claim 15 wherein the lock includes ahand-operated control for locking and unlocking the lock.
 18. A bassinetfor infants and children as claimed in claim 17 wherein the lockincludes a hand-operated knob for locking and unlocking the lock.